Myths on How to Save Gas

We all have a neighbor, coworker or family member who insists they know the secret to save gas. They read in an obscure magazine or heard from a friend that if you do this then you'll save more at the pump. In this article, we challenge Uncle Fred and dispel some of the common myths on how to save gas. 1. Buy Your Gas Early or Late in the Day

This myth relies on a simple theory; the hottest times of day will yield less dense gas, so a smart consumer should buy their gas during the cool periods of the day. Those lucky Alaskans! The theory falls apart when you consider all gasoline storage tanks are underground and extremely well insulated. According to Edmunds.com, it matters more whether the tanker truck brought the gas in warm or cool. The temperature of the gas stays the same as when it was in the tanker truck.

2. Roll Up Your Windows on the Highway

The myth suggests that you create drag by rolling down your windows at high speeds. The drag theory definitely holds weight, but it's more for cargo and luggage racks on the roof. These devices greatly reduce the mpg of a vehicle. Consumer Reports found that empty cargo racks reduced gas mileage as well. If you don't need those racks, uninstall them. It does create drag to have the window down, but not enough to severely impact your mpg.

3. Pour in a Little of This Chemical and You'll Get Much Fuel Efficiency

CNN Money debunks this myth with some common sense. Why would putting an additive in the gas tank help fuel efficiency and get you better mileage? If it actually worked, wouldn't gas companies add the chemicals themselves? If it sounds too good to be true...

4. Use Premium Grade Gasoline

This myth sounds nice. Pay for the higher grade gasoline at the pump and it'll benefit your car in fuel efficiency. The reality is most cars perform the same using either grade of gas. Only high performance autos or luxury models needs the higher octane gasoline.

5. Turn off the AC to Save Gas
Fortunately this one proves to be false. According to Edmunds.com, the savings are negligible. Who wants to arrive at work sweating from the drive? Keep the air conditioning turned on and the windows rolled up on your morning and evening commute.

6. Pickup Trucks Should Drive with the Tailgate Down
This one seems logical, the tailgate has a lot of wind resistance right? It's like a blockade for wind to pass through on the way out the back of the truck. At Interstate speeds, this could mean less fuel efficiency and MPG, right? Wrong. Episode 43 of Mythbusters tackles this very topic. They found that a truck with the tailgate down created more drag and resulted in less MPG than the same model truck driven with the tailgate up. It's counterintuitive, but from their (and presumably Ford's experiments) we can gather that driving with the tailgate up should save gas and money.

7. Change Your Air Filter
Who hasn't fallen for this one? The person changing our oil claims a new air filter will increase our gas mileage. Of course, we want to save gas and money, so we tell them to go ahead and change the air filter. We later come to realize that Consumer Reports tested this theory. The technicians duct taped the air filter mostly closed and the onboard computer system regulated the air filtering accordingly. These smart cars. Now if you own an older model car, then maybe this would matter.

8. Purchase Gas During the Middle of the Week

The consumer wins when they buy gas during the middle of the week, as prices tend to increase for weekend traffic. The theory relates to the constant fluctuation of gas prices. The prices sometimes do tend to increase over weekends and holidays. But the prices can also increase during the middle of the week. Many feel the run-up of gas prices during these times means we need strict regulations on how we price our gasoline. If you want to save money on gas at the pump, try using a credit card that gives a gas rebate.

A person with the will to save money on gas can find a way. There's likely to be new myths as gas prices continue to break records. Just remember to use some common sense and don't part with your money until you have done the research.